81. Rebels - Mamrim

We are commanded to follow the decisions of the
Sanhedrin and it is forbidden not to do so, as it says
"[You shall do according to the thing they tell you... you shall do]
according to the Torah they teach you and the
judgment they tell you; you shall not
depart from the thing they tell you left or right".1
A sage who refuses to accept their decision and continues
to rule otherwise is called a "rebellious elder" and
must be put to death, as it says "And the man who acts
wilfully not to listen... to the judge, that man shall
die."2 When there is no Sanhedrin a person must follow the
courts of his generation, as it says "[And you shall come...]
to the judge that exists in those days".3 If courts
disagree one should follow the more stringent view; but in
cases involving rabbinical law one can follow the more lenient
view.a

It is forbidden to add or subtract from the Torah, as
it says "[Everything that I command you, you shall be careful
to do;] you shall not add to it and you shall not take
away from it".4 However, the courts can make new laws or
extend the laws of the Torah as long as there is no
conflict with the Torah; and they can even abrogate parts of
the Torah temporarily when necessary.b

We are commanded to honor our parents and to stand
in awe of them, as it says "Honor your father and your
mother",5 and it says "Each shall fear his mother
and his father".6 There are special prohibitions against
cursing or striking them, as it says "[For any man who
curses his father or his mother shall be put to death;]
he cursed his father or mother, his blood is on him",7
and it says "And one who strikes his father or mother
shall be put to death... [and one who curses his father
or mother shall be put to death]".8 A rebellious son
can be executed [as it says "And if a man has a rebellious
son..."].9,c